New Orleans Saints head coach Sean Payton may soon be back in the Big Easy, but what about two of his most trusted assistants? According to ESPNís Adam Schefter, both offensive coordinator Pete Carmichael Jr. and offensive line coach (and previous interim head coach) Aaron Kromer saw their contracts expire at the conclusion of this season. In other words, they are free agents on the coaching market.

Both coaches have seen interest in their services peak in the last year or two. Carmichael was granted permission to interview for the Colts job last year, and has already been linked to this yearís open Bears job. Kromer on the other hand was recently a finalist for the Boston College head coaching vacancy.

Obviously either man would leave their current roles ó with or without a contract ó if they could land an NFL head coaching job or upper-level college job. But what if they donít? Could Carmichael become another teamís offensive coordinator? What about Kromer moving on to another team as a highly respected offensive line coach? The odds, in TDCís view, are slim.

Carmichael would be foolish to leave the Saints if a head coaching job isnít waiting on the other side. Heís proven the offense can operate without Sean Payton around, and has perhaps the leagueís best quarterback to make him look good for another year. Moving laterally to another coordinator position seems counterproductive. The same can be said for Kromer, who has helped build the Saints offensive line into one of the leagueís best, especially along the interior. Heís also arguably gotten more out of mediocre talent at offensive tackle than any other line coach in the league. Barring a coordinator position opening up (extremely unlikely) thereís no reason for Kromer to leave the Saints either.

Schefter is right in that both coaches are technically free agents. But barring a head coaching job being offered or some underlying, unknown friction in New Orleans, thereís no reason not to expect both coaches back on the Saints staff next season.

The contracts of two of the most valued members of the New Orleans Saints' coaching staff have expired, making offensive coordinator Pete Carmichael and offensive line coach/running game coordinator Aaron Kromer coaching free agents, according to a Twitter report by ESPN's Adam Schefter.

Schefter said the coaches' contracts expired at the end of the season. NOLA.com | The Times-Picayune is still trying to confirm the report.

The offense with the exception of two games was as predictable as during the Mora years...

I personally had issues with sending smaller receivers like Lance Moore for the over the middle/high passes usually reserved for Colston, Graham...

Some plays like that and the bubble route seem like more risk than the gain they afford...

saintsfan403

01-03-2013 11:58 PM

Re: Saints Coaching Issues Continue?

I don't think it matters if either leave. Just think, SP has had an entire year o just sit around and analyze new schemes. If I was any other team in the NFC I would be horrified to think of what SP has cooked up in his shop of horrors.